“It’s not a joke, and I don’t think it’s funny.” His hands were shaking, and he put them up on the counter. He realized that he was being unnecessarily harsh with this girl, that he was taking his anger out on her though she obviously knew nothing, but there was a sickening feeling beginning to form in the pit of his stomach, a feeling of helplessness, a feeling that he was being dragged into something he could not hope to fight against, and it made him want to yell at someone. He closed his eyes and forced himself to calm down. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Just turn my water and electricity back on.”

“It’ll be this afternoon before we’ll be able to put a man on it,” she said. “There’s a five-dollar hookup charge—”

“Look,” Doug said, keeping his voice intentionally low and even, “you guys screwed up. You turned off my water and electricity without me asking you to, and I’m sure as hell not going to pay for your mistake.”

The girl stiffened, her manner suddenly defensive. “It’s not technically our mistake. We received a letter—”

“I’m not going to waste my day playing word games,” Doug said. “Let me speak to your supervisor.”

“The manager’s out of the office right now, but I can leave your name and number and have him call you when he returns.”

“Do that. And do you think you could have my water and power turned back on? My wife and son would like to take a bath sometime today, and it would be nice if we could cook our dinner tonight.”

The girl nodded. “We’ll get this straightened out. I’m sorry for any inconvenience.” Her voice was conciliatory, with a hint of worry in it, and he realized that she was worried about what he would say to her supervisor.

“It’s not your fault,” he told her. “I don’t mean to take it out on you. I’m just frustrated right now.”

“I understand. And I’ll have the manager call you as soon as he returns,” she promised.

“Thanks.” He turned and walked out the door, reaching into his pocket for his car keys.

His hands were still shaking.